Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed

So my sister finally made good on a promise to herself this week.

She adopted a kitten.

And he is precious.  He was found on the side of the road with his sister, so the people named them Bonnie and Clyde.  He was scheduled to be put down next week and Kel couldn't bear that.  Kel adopted him,  decided Clyde didn't suit him (probably after the Gillespie debacle) and renamed him Tiger.

Which brings me to my post.  She brought him to my parents house the other day and she was so proud to show him off.  Tiger, being accustomed to living on the side of the road or in an animal shelter, was not yet comfortable with all of us.  He was, indeed, wide eyed and bushy tailed. 

Kel said he had spent the night in her apartment mostly away from her.  Somehow she'd left a bathroom cabinet door open, and he spent the night nestled under a pile of folded towels.  He hid under her bed, and only came out to eat or use the litter box, not even to play with the toys that were just for him.

Tiger didn't understand just yet that he had been adopted into a family.  And while we held him and cooed over him and told him he was safe and wouldn't have to worry about anything again.

Isn't that just what our God has done for us? 

We, too, have been adopted into a family. (Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 1:5, The Message).

Even if we turn away and hide (be it under towels, in workaholism, alcoholism, success, or whatever), He does not love us any less. ("I've never quit loving you and never will.  Expect love, love and more love!" Jeremiah 31:3 The Message)

He saved us from death.  ("For God so loved the world that He gave his only Begotten Son that who ever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-17 NIV)  

Even though some days may be difficult or scary, God is still there.  ("Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Dueteronomy 31:6 NIV)

Since this is a new relationship, it will take time to grow.  They will need to spend time together to learn to that Kel can be trusted.  But it will be an exciting journey for them both. 

Make that two of 'em wide eyed and bushy tailed. :)